Thanks,12

Thank you-12

Oct 10,Thursday

Tomorrow  XIME has a quiz programme and other festivities.Maybe ,I will come here in the morning and see parts of the programme and will leave for the Mount for a late lunch.

I was reading a write up in the America magazine on Cardinal Newman.I think I should write an article on Newman especially because of his emphasis on Higher Education.

The  takeaways from Cardinal Newman are the following, according to America magazine:

1.Higher Education. 2.Community life 3.Doctrinal development

Oct 13,Sunday

Just watched the live telecast of the canonization of Mariam Thresia, the founder of the Holy Family Congregation. It was  during this  mass that Cardinal Newman was also canonized.Not much was said  about the contributions and the sanctity of Cardinal Newman as the telecast here was focused on Mariam Thresia. May the Lord help us to become better Christians , following in their footsteps.

Wanted to write a short essay on the life of Newman.I will start doing it today because his contributions and sacrifices are immense.

Lord, help me to become a better proponent of the Christian faith.

Oct.14,Monday

Went to Champakulam in connection with the feast to say a  mass for the sick. Prof.KJ George was there for the mass.He spoke about the difficulty of walking.He was one  of the rare breed of teachers who was very active on the campus.By the grace of God, I could say mass well although it was tiring to say mass alone. I realized how old age is catching up with me.People helped me when I walked over the steps.They realized my weakness.Somehow, without any difficulty , I said the mass loud and clear and gave  a short homily about the presence of Jesus helping us to overcome  our weaknesses.I  cited the examples of the lady afflicted with  cancer in Philadelphia and also of George Vettom. Mentioned the importance of Champakulam by referring to  the remark of the President of Notre Dame University, Fr.Malloy, reminding me about the antiquity of the churches in Kerala.

Thank you Jesus for taking care of me.Your love is immensely great.I realize how weak and sinful I am .You help me in spite of my failures and weaknesses.

I have been preoccupied in the last few days about the lack of friendship on account of the passing away of a friend of mine.She was such a source of constant inspiration, advice, correcting and encouraging.Now, it is all gone. There is nobody now in my life who can take her place.Of course, in the last couple of years, she felt more sickly and was more concerned with her fragility and weakness. There was more complaining in her voice.Now that chapter is gone.Jesus wants me to depend on Him totally.No more dependence on any one.I have to deepen my love for Jesus.By thinking and reflecting on Jesus and praying to him, I can do penance  for my failures.

Kunchappan , the presidenti of the feast was very gracious and he took me to his house.Jessy , his wife, was there.

Oct.16,Wednesday

Wrote a response to the Deepika news about the education reform bill by the State Govt.I could not believe that I could write even now in Malayalam.Somehow I managed to write a few pages , scanned it and sent them to the paper. Sudeep scanned it fast and got them attached.I just clicked “send.” In that way, this time my effort was minimal in sending it.

Thank you,Lord, for giving me the energy to write and send it.Even though my official duty is over, still I felt the need of writing it.That means, I should keep myself busy without worrying about  any official position.

Oct.17,Thursday

In the reading from the Gospel,Mt.15, Jesus is praising the faith of the Canaanite woman who was persistent in her request to Jesus for healing her daughter.The apparent refusal of Jesus in the beginning did not deter her.She continued her request and even gave very apt responses to the refusal of Jesus to help the non-Jews.Her faith was praised immensely by Jesus.After that, many with great infirmities came to Jesus for healing and all were helped.I should also continue my prayers for healing, for forgiveness and for the deepening of my faith.There should be no reluctance in praying.Even if my weaknesses continue, I should not cease from asking.

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Oct.20,Sunday

Went to Chalakudy for the marriage of Augustine's son.I had to say the mass and give the homily. No help for communion distribution.Was tired but felt Ok . I imagined how it would be with the presence of Reena and Thomaskutty at this wedding. Returned immediately after.

All those props of my friends are gone.I am confined to my own thoughts.I know I should not put myself totally in such thoughts.I have to resume doing what I have to do keeping in mind that my goal is to make known the name of Jesus.It is Jesus who gave these dear souls in my life.He will give new people.I have to do what I have to do.Read more and pray more. I have to help people and feel happy and contented.God has given me enough.That is sufficient.

Oct.21

It is raining outside.Today is the bye-election day.Many may not go for voting because of the rains.

I will spend today for the Lord.Will go to the Mount in the evening and see whether I can meet the priests there.Lord, thank you for your blessings.Help me to grow close to you and let me feel happy in your protection and love.

This morning, I got a call from the Abp after his return and he referred to my article in the Deepika. Then only, I came to know that it was published .Thank you Lord for this blessing.I don't think there would be another chance for me to publish another article.But today , it did happen.I praise you and adore you Lord for this blessing.Once more, I could prove that I would be able to write and to publish. Dr.E.M.thomas also called in the morning to congratulate me on the article, saying that it was written very logically and with the knowledge coming from experience. Thank you Lord.I was really anxious about its publication as there happened a few days of delay for its publication.

I don't have to be worried about anything.Use all the opportunities that are available to me.

Also I watched this morning mmm English on you tube on correct pronunciation and accents.That is a good source of information.

Tonight I am at Mount St.Thomas and attended one of the meetings with the sisters and  priests.

Oct.24,Thursday

Yesterday went to Chy to say an office for the dead for the mother of Fr.Jose Kottayil. Thomaskutty sent me the information concerning her demise.I felt somehow an inner urging to go to his house and say the prayers although it was a tedious journey. This is all that I can do.God has given me a car and a driver and so I thought I should pay my homage.Even if it is tiring, this is something that I could do as God has given me health for such ventures. There  will come a time when I cannot do such things.

Today, I am at Xime and it is already 12 noon.I haven't done any serious work.

The results of the bye elections are not good for the UDF as they lost some of their traditional seats.Over all,it is Ok as they are leading in three.So too in Haryana, the Congress is doing well.

I will write more scriptural reflections and prepare notes for the new book,Jottings.

Lord, thank you for the time given to me.I am thankful to you for all the ways in which you have guided and helped me.Let me remain true to you.

Oct.24,Saturday.

Yesterday came to know that Adv.Joseph Koippally passed away at Thathampally. He was a friend of mine, always respectful and courteous.Sorry to hear about his passing away.God bless him.Will go to Thathampally today.

Thank you Jesus for your blessings.Will participate in various events as often as possible.Will use the opportunity to speak about you.

Will have early lunch and leave for Alleppey. 

Know him from his college days. He was very active in the social life of Alleppey.

Leader of the young generation of his time.Very articulate.Fearless in expressing his opinions.

He has shone in all the different fields he was involved—as a lawyer , as a good father, a faithful member of the parish and the community.

Leaves behind him very strong memories.

The words of Jesus for our consolation.I am the resurrection and the life.He who believes in me has eternal life.

The words of the wife of Billy Graham—just these words on the tombstone—the detour is over,thanks for your patience.

Koipally has a message similar to this—My life is over.Thank you for accepting me.

The greatest evangelizer from his prison wrote to his disciple—I have run my race.I am waiting for the crown of justice

Oct 26

Went to Alleppey and was requested to be the celebrant for the funeral.The Vicar gave the homily.I returned from the service at home to the church and did the prayers in the church.Did not go  to the cemetery. Later, after reaching Ekm, I got a call from Cyril , thanking me for my presence.I did go on my own initiative.

Oct.27,Sunday

Did not do much.Said mass and read the papers.Saw in the news the attack and the killing of the Isis leader, Bagdadi. Nothing else.President Trump gives a very graphic and dynamic account of the attack.His speech was very good.He mentioned the atrocities committed by this terrorist against Christians , women, innocent people etc.CNN tries to find fault with his description and his reference to terrorism sponsored by Islamist groups.

Read the book by Billy Graham “Nearer Home” where he describes the advantages of old age by showing from the lives of some oldest people named in the Bible and their ages too. Brazaile in OT who gives food to David when he fled to the desert on account of the rebellion of Absalom.Mentions Methuselah,Enoch,Abraham, Joshua,Moses etc.It is in this book that he refers to his wife,Ruth's request for the words on her tombstone: End of construction.Thanks for your patience.”